If you read extensively around the history of poker there are many
differences of opinion regarding the exact origin of Poker and often
they can be conflicting. It is most likely that Poker took its current
form and name from elements of many different games. The general
consensus is that because of its basic principles Poker is definitely
very old!
The
Origin of Poker
There are as many stories & theories regarding where Poker
originated as there are theories regarding the origin of the game
itself. One thing appears to be certain that Poker did not
pre-date playing cards. However, even the origins of playing
cards are difficult to pin down. There are dozens of theories. Some say
playing cards were developed by the Chinese as a variation on
dominoes. Others state that Poker originates from the Persian
game "as nas", which is a 5-player Persian game, requiring a special
deck of 25 cards with 5 suits. Another theory surrounds the
French game "poque". The French settled in New Orleans in around 1480 and played Poque, a card game involving bluffing
and betting. This was stated to be the first use of a deck consisting
of spades, diamonds, clubs, and hearts. Fragments of cards have
apparently been dated to the 12th or 13th century in Egypt. Some
people suggest that modern cards originated from the Indian card game
of Ganjifa. Then again others believe that Tarot decks,
used for fortune telling, are an obvious link in the history of the
playing card. Gaming has always been very popular throughout history
and so it is possible that different versions were developed by
different cultures across the world - so no easy answer!
The
Earliest Poker "Sighting"
One of the earliest written references to Poker was in the nineteenth
century. These were references to rules for a so-called "cheating
game," which was then being played on the Mississippi riverboats and
this was then called Poker. The game described was played with 20
cards, using only the aces, kings, queens, jacks and tens. Two to four
people could play, and each was dealt five cards. By the time it was
actually documented poker had become the number one "cheating game" on
the Mississippi boats.
Poker
- The Name
The origin of the word Poker is also heavily discussed. Most say
that it comes from an eighteenth-century French game, poque. However,
there are other references to pochspiel, which is a German game. In
pochspiel, there is an element of bluffing, where players would
indicate whether they wanted to pass or open by rapping on the table
and saying, "Ich Poche!" Some say it could have been derived from the
Hindu word, pukka. Yet another possible explanation for the word
poker, is that it came from a version of the word - poke - used by
pickpockets and that by adding an r to the word made it into "poker."
The thought was that if they used the word "poker" in front of their
victims they would not be aware that they were the "poke"!. There
are those who also believe that "poke" probably came from the word
"hocus-pocus", a term widely used by magicians around the world.
Poker
- The revolution
In 2003, Poker became televised and Texas Hold'em was brought to the
world. Tiny cameras enabled the TV audience to see the players'
hole cards and it was these cameras that played a critical role in the
"drama" of poker, with the audiences being able to see players'
high-stake bets and bluffs. This has turned poker into a major sporting
event that draws all ages, sexes and races.
Poker
- Online
While the game of poker has been played for nearly 200 years, the
online version of the game is, in comparison, very recent. Online poker
has now sky rocketed and has forever changed the world of poker.
Other types of online gambling sites were launched significantly before
the first online poker room. It was not until 1998 that the first
online poker room was established. Other online poker rooms soon joined
the ranks. However it was not until 2001 that the two most
dominant online poker firms entered the industry. Poker steadily gained
popularity and the industry continued to grow. One of the key elements
in the next stage of online poker development was the launch of a poker
information website in 2004. It was then that Online poker
exploded. The increasing popularity of poker resulted in even more play
at the virtual tables and so the industry's revenues more than tripled!
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